Just minutes after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors closed local beaches over the long holiday weekend, the gloomy Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti stepped onto his podium.
“This period will be our second big test,” said Garcetti.
“Now is the time for a break,” said the mayor. “We simply cannot risk people’s lives.”
He then announced that, along with the closure of the beach, the July 4 fireworks would be banned in hopes of preventing Angelenos from gathering in groups.
In addition, he said, “Meetings of people you don’t live with are not allowed.”
Earlier Monday, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health director Ferrer revealed that the county had reached another record in new daily COVID cases. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state had reached its own daily record in cases. The governor said the state could see renewed closings if infection rates don’t drop.
Garcetti said he did not yet see strong evidence that the recent protests contributed to these spikes. When asked about the protests planned for next weekend and if the city would intervene out of concern about new infections, the mayor replied: “Keep your social distance and wear masks. People can, and should, exercise their first amendment rights. ”
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He announced a “hard pause” in opening more businesses, including movie theaters and amusement parks. Over the weekend, county officials ordered bars and nightclubs closed.
Ferrer said Monday that companies are a major contributor to COVID-19’s continued growth. Many businesses do not require masks or physical distance, he said. This weekend, 3 weeks after the release of the county guidelines, Ferrer reported that 33 percent of the restaurants inspected were not in compliance with the county’s safety protocols.
When asked if he would re-implement a stay-at-home order, Garcetti said, “No one wants to go back.”
“We cannot strangle economic prosperity here,” said Garcetti. She warned that the federal government will likely not help Los Angeles residents again financially.
But he said officials must take some steps to prevent the spread.
Garcetti said the county is considering removing licenses from restaurants that do not meet the county’s anti-COVID guidelines.
Last week, it was announced that 1 in 400 people in the county had had coronavirus.
“Over the next week,” said the mayor, “that number is estimated to drop to one in 100, or one in 70.”
“Please do your part,” Garcetti implored. “Stay home … suppose everyone is” infected.
“Six of the seven indicators we track are going in the wrong direction,” he said. “Only deaths, which as we know is a lagging indicator, are decreasing.” Garcetti indicated that the category could see a peak in 3-4 weeks.
“We cannot get to the place where COVID-19 overwhelms hospitals,” warned the mayor. “Don’t make this moment force us to restrict more.”
